Reviews tagging 'Gore'

Circe by Madeline Miller

224 reviews

wizardcantrips's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Rape, Self harm, Torture, Gore, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, and Gaslighting

_marco_'s review against another edition

emotional lighthearted reflective relaxing tense fast-paced

4.5

A bit of time has passed since I've read Miller's other story the Song of Achilles, and this book has been on my shelf for quite a while, so I thought I'd (finally) give it a go. And I'm glad I did! I devoured this book in less than a week.

The story follows the witch Circe as she comes into her own over the span of an eternity. Circe has played a cameo role in a number of Greek myths, including the Metamorphosis and the Odyssey, but has often been relegated to the role of temptress or obstacle. It was very exciting to see her depicted in her own worth, and to have her psychology explored in a far more profound manner; Miller breathes so much life into the character with her bright and airy lyricism. As a regular fan of the psychological novel, I found Circe to be a very interesting retelling. 

The story travels through each stage of Circe's life: there was always action around every turn of the page. As such, I completely devoured this book. While I know that many prefer fast-paced stories packed with twists and turns, I think I would have enjoyed more of an exploration into the protagonist's loneliness as she finds herself stranded on Aiaia. Centuries go by in a page As Circe moves from one encounter to the next, and I find myself wondering how she copes with herself in the interim. But this is just an issue of personal taste. 

Overall, I very much enjoyed this book! I highly recommend it, especially to those already familiar with some ancient Greek literature: I find Miller's interpretation to be very refreshing.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual harassment and Rape

Minor: Gore

cynthiaplans's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I’m partial to Greek mythology but Miller’s version elevates the characters and adventures to another level that feels like historical fiction rather than fantasy. Her prose is absolutely breathtaking. And I found the reflections on parenthood through the lens of Circe so thoughtful and poignant.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Gore, War, Pregnancy, Misogyny, Rape, Confinement, Blood, Body horror, Sexual assault, Murder, Violence, and Death

linneak's review

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical trauma, Gore, Grief, Infidelity, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Death, Body horror, Sexism, Misogyny, Murder, Pregnancy, Rape, Violence, and Blood

Moderate: Sexual content, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Child death, Emotional abuse, Animal death, Bullying, Physical abuse, Adult/minor relationship, and Sexual harassment

Minor: War, Confinement, and Incest

mia_difelice's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence, Gore, and Rape

Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Violence

librarymouse's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Madeline Miller exceeded my expectations with this one. Circe as both character and story is lovingly rendered, and the culmination of her constant change and constant striving for more at the end of novel is more than I could have hoped for.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Gore, Misogyny, Sexual content, Child abuse, Pregnancy, Body horror, Blood, Death, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, and Rape

Minor: Genocide, Slavery, and War

hammie_32's review

challenging dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

This was really disappointing. I had a lot of hopes for a dark, reflective retelling of a myth often starring a villainous evil bitch, easily defeated. And this gets 2.5 stars ONLY because for precisely the first 50% of the book, it was the dark, captivating, sorrowful tale I was promised.

And then it turned into a shitty "feminist" novel. And I know that makes me sound gross, but it's in quotes for a reason. Because why, why does every book featuring a powerful woman always have to end up about

motherhood

? I have nothing against it, and yes, sometimes that IS a powerful statement to be made. Not like this, and not this often. If someone somewhere needs permission, you have my allowance to write a feminist, feminine power, woman-dominated, whatever else story where your main female character DOESN'T

get pregnant

!! Doesn't "

find power in nurturing

." Doesn't

use a child to remedy their own traumas

!!! Successfully might I add! It's just never the feminist statement that these authors think it is, and I'm so sick of having to read it after hearing the same sentiment shouted from the rooftops for years by young women and femmes.

I wish I could have more love for this book. But I want 500 pages of an immortal's torment at the hands of humanity. I want a narrative of her suffering on finding a few kind souls, only to be torn apart by the next pack of dogs. I want a dark assemblage of our species' sins told via a recollection of an eternal life's worth of memories. I want her to be twisted and cold and cruel and I want it to be justified because that would be real. If someone wants something happy in there, throw a Sapphic romance in at the end that doesn't "fix" her. But I can't stand to read Circe talking about the cruelties of men, cruelties of gods and goddesses, cruelties of LIFE, just to turn around and

pop out a baby

because she wishes a reprieve of her solitude.

And then she

fucks her stepson

, and that just made me mad.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape and Sexism

Moderate: Sexual content, Death, Gore, Pedophilia, Blood, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Violence

Minor: Animal death, Fatphobia, Fire/Fire injury, and War

missmarycrawford's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape and Gore

17michaelasully's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape

Moderate: Body horror, Torture, Pregnancy, Gore, and Emotional abuse

lilareads5678's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

really liked the book. it’s greek mythology so you have to pay attention and focus. so it’s not just like a YA romance where you can just read the words. madeleine miller has such great talent for creating modern retellings. also the quotes in this book were so GOOD. if you like greek mythology i highly recommend.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Grief, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Torture, Pregnancy, War, Rape, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, and Violence